Who We Are

The Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller (Sovereign Order) is a Christian, chivalric, ecumenical and international community of members, who continue more than 900 years’ tradition of helping the sick and the poor of all nationalities, races and creeds.

Our Motto is Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum. For Faith, For Service to Humanity.

Our modern day Order is divided into 27 Commanderies (chapters) in 14 countries in Europe and North and Central America, consisting of approximately 850 members worldwide. The International office is located at Vancouver, Canada.

The Sovereign Order is Christian. It was founded on chivalric principles of putting others before self. Members of the Sovereign Order serve their community, just as the original monks and Knights of the Order vowed to do 900 years ago. Through goodwill and devotion to a just cause, the Sovereign Order has been in the forefront of some of history’s greatest moments.

The following video is a 17 minute summary of the Sovereign Order as it is today. It was developed by the Vancouver Commandery to celebrate the 900th anniversary. Despite some localisms, it gives a good overview of our structure and purpose.

Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum

For Faith, For Service to Humanity

Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller

Our modern Sovereign Order is an ecumenical, international, Christian organization directly descended from the Hospitaller activities at the Hospice, founded before the turn of the 12th Century by Amalfi merchants, for pilgrims in Jerusalem.